Be careful what you ask for...

There are always going to be HOA and Board issues. Even with the current frustrations, at least things are still getting done, slowly, but they are getting done. With the builder still on the Board, we can force action. Once we are left to nothing but homeowners, watch out! We don't want to end up with another batting cage in the community. Let's keep the Board and HOA on their toes while we've got them where we want them.

By Resident

More Questions

Who is responsible for taking the minutes at the HOA meetings? And who is responsible for what is published in the newsletter? I as a resident of Greenfield, I want the HOA minutes published in the newsletter and I also want the meeting scheduled when "common working folks" are able to attend. (Any time after 6:00 p.m.) Some of the things that are being discussed in this forum can be easily rectified. I'm wondering why they aren't. I like newsletters that are entertaining, but I also want to know what's going on in our community.

By L.A.

Meetings, Bylaws, etc.

Again, I understand your frustration and you have some very valid concerns and questions. My intention was not to absolve the Board of responsibility, but to encourage homeowners to actively play their part in the management of this community.

I agree, the meetings SHOULD be scheduled when homeowners can attend, newsletters SHOULD contain minutes and other pertinent information. When and how have these questions and concerns been communicated to the Board? If we have 2 homeowner members, why are they not disseminating that info to their neighbors? Is it possible that an additional meeting could be scheduled (at a time when more homeowners are able to attend) with those 2 members present and giving us a recap of what is going on. I believe that part of their responsibility is to be a liason between the homeowners and the Board. There should be record of what issues have been taken to the Board and what response or action has come from the Board. Of course, that record should be made available to all homeowners. If those 2 homeowner members of the Board are not actively representing our interests, then they should be voted out and replaced.

As far as the HOA bylaws are concerned, this will now be the 3rd new community in which I have built a home and experienced the exact same stipulations in the bylaws. In talking with friends who have older homes, their HOAs went through the exact same process to become homeowner managed. This is NOT new stuff that Village (or their lawyers)pulled out of their hats just to make us miserable. Whether or not you want to use the term "standard" is simply a matter of verbage. I don't particularly like or agree with that aspect of the bylaws any more than you do. My belief is that we need to be proactive and lay the groundwork now so that we can run this HOA effectively when the time comes.

Minutes and Newsletter

I'm not sure who is responsible for recording the Board minutes, but you can ask David Cowan at A.R.E.S. Through this web site, you can fax him the question, or simply call him. I've already asked for a copy of the minutes for the Board meeting in late May, but they have not been "approved", so he hasn't released the copy to me. Having them published in the newsletter would be much more helpful to all of us.

David Cowan and A.R.E.S. are responsible for the newsletter, including content, publishing, etc.